Catholics see increase in Iraqi refugees

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The Catholic Church in the United States said it saw a 31 percent increase in the number of resettlements, with a portion of those coming from Iraq.

In 2008 the church said it resettled nearly 18,000 refugees through its migration services in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Those refugees, from 45 countries including Liberia, Iran and Iraq, account for about 28 percent of those entering the United States, the bishops said.

The church diocese said an influx of thousands of refugees in the latter part of 2008 created a massive strain on its capacity to receive new cases.

"Despite this situation, the diocesan staff, parishes and other community entities involved in their resettlement once again went above and beyond the call of duty to help refugees build new lives," said Johnny Young, director of migration services.

The announcement comes on the heels of statements made Wednesday by the U.N. refugee agency, saying it had increased its aid in Syria to Iraqi Christians fleeing a growing threat to their community.

The Catholic Church in Iraq estimates there are around 300,000 followers in the country. The minority religious community has witnessed a rise in targeted attacks following a move by the Iraqi Parliament to exclude provisions guaranteeing representation in the upcoming provincial elections.

It is unclear who is behind the attacks, though several members of the Christian population point to Kurdish aims to influence the demographics of the region.